Workplace Activity

Health at Work

Work is a huge part of adulthood and we spend up to 60% of our waking hours at work, therefore work is a key place to encourage change to habits and routines. Improving health and increasing physical activity levels is good for both employees and employers.

The Workplace Challenge is a great way to get workplaces physically active and it's free to sign up. Use the activity log to record your levels of sport, physical activity and active travel online whilst competing with other workplaces. Log activities all year round and take part in challenges throughout the year to be in with a chance of winning a prize.

Why is workplace health important?

Staff ill health has cost implications for businesses through loss of production, early retirement, staff turnover and absenteeism (both through long term sick pay and the cost of temporary staff).

Back pain is the most common cause of sickness absence from work in the UK, at a cost to industry of £5.7 billion each year. Work related stress, depression and anxiety form the second most common reasons for work related sickness absence, costing the UK economy between £3.7 and £7 billion each year.

Information is on hand to help

Within this section you will find information on:

The Workplace Challenge - a national programme that aims to engage workplaces in sport and physical activity. Users can log their levels of activity whilst competing against other workplaces, friends and colleagues at the same time.

Badminton

Badminton is a fast, dynamic Olympic sport and caters for all ages and ability levels. Whatever your reason for playing, be it fitness, health, to compete or just for fun…it's easy to book a court and get playing at your local leisure centre but to make it even easier here are some more great ways to play more often.

Basketball

Get back into Basketball or try it for the first time with 'Ball Again', a programme that offers coaching and games to reintroduce people to the sport or those wanting to try for the first time. Visit www.ballagain.co.uk for more details.

Basketball England offer Activator courses to train up people to help coordinate and run activity, perfect for workplaces! Visit www.basketballengland.co.uk for more details.

Canoeing

Canoeing is a fantastic sport that is accessible to almost anybody irrespective of their age, ability or fitness. It also encompasses a range of different disciplines which means it can be as competitive, exhilarating, relaxing, challenging or fun as you want it to be. It can offer team bonding, healthy competition and stress busting opportunities.

Cricket

Last Man Stands (LMS) Cricket is a great, quick social 8-a-side T20 cricket game that is easy to join. Groups of work colleagues can get together and enjoy a competitive game of cricket after work. There are local organisers for LMS in Derbyshire ready to help workplaces to organise their teams and get playing.

Easy Cricket is all about getting people involved in informal games of cricket in a fun, engaging way. Games can be played during your lunch break or after work and is delivered by Cricket Activators who are supported with a 'how to' guide with lots of ideas on what to do in sessions.

Football

The FA Mars Just Play! gives the casual footballer a chance to just turn up to a venue and play football. The Just Play kickabout is recreational football at its best – it's about turning up for an hour of exercise and a bit of fun.

Golf

Looking for a new challenge? Want to get healthy and active? Keen to meet more friends or spend quality time with your partner and wondering what to do?

Golf offers all these benefits and more. It's such an adaptable game that it suits everyone, whatever their age, fitness level or ability. Whether you want to keep healthy, burn calories or spend time with friends, golf is for you.

You can get started by taking advantage of the beginner courses on offer from Get into Golf across Derbyshire. You'll receive a basic introduction to the game from a PGA professional together with information about follow-on coaching opportunities and club membership. Equipment will be provided so all you have to do is turn up on the day in comfortable clothing, before you know it you will be out on the course playing golf.

Nordic Walking

Nordic Walking is the perfect lunchtime workout because it works the whole body and leaves you feeling energised and refreshed. All you need to change are your shoes and then you can join your colleagues for an effective, sociable and fun way to get in shape…fast!

For more details on how your workplace can get started click on the link below.

Running/Jogging

Workplace running programs can provide a range of benefits for both employers and the workforce. Find information on how to start workplace running groups by clicking on the link below or contacting groups@englandathletics.org

Softball

The social nature of softball is perfect for the work environment, it is a mixed sport that is great for improving connectivity across organisations. Find out how employers and employees will benefit from playing and what is on offer to workplaces by clicking on the link below:

Squash

If you are looking for a great way to get fit, meet new people, and have fun then squash is the sport for you! You only need thirty minutes and you can get a great all round work out, so even the busiest people can fit it in around work, family and other commitments. You can even squeeze a game in on your lunch break, after work or at your free time during the day!

Swimming

If you are looking for an alternative way to work out in the pool and get the most out of your swim, then try Swimfit.

Swimfit provides everything you need to motivate, challenge and support you to reach your fitness goals. Whether that is to lose weight, to tone, to improve technique or just to become fitter and stronger.

Table Tennis

Introducing table tennis into your workplace is a great way to improve health and wellbeing amongst staff. It is shown to increase social interaction and cross-departmental relationships (for the benefits of both work and pleasure) and table tennis has a great knack for involving and engaging people who are normally happier to reside inside their shells or shy away from sport or physical activity.

'Beat the Boss' packages are available to workplaces and include tables, bats, balls, trophies and everything else that you'll need to get your colleagues around the table.

Loop at Work

Watch how this workplace uses table tennis to break up their day and improve staff morale

Touch Rugby League

Touch Rugby League is a fast-paced, minimal-contact version of the game that is for all ages, sizes and abilities to take part. Touch Rugby League is a great alternative to the gym - participants can have fun getting fit whilst enjoying the excitement and camaraderie of the traditional game but without high impact tackling.

Volleyball

Go Spike is Volleyball England's campaign to increase the number of individuals participating in recreational volleyball. It provides individuals off all ages and abilities the opportunity to experience volleyball in a social environment. Go Spike can be played anywhere at any time – indoors, on grass or on the beach.

To find out how your workplace can get involved in Go Spike click on the link below:

Tennis

Local Tennis Leagues (LTL) was set up to make it easy for adults of all standards to play friendly, competitive matches on local public courts. LTL helps build supportive and friendly tennis communities that give people the opportunity to play matches.